Out of the Furnace Review - 2 Stars

“Out of the Furnace” tells a tough story about tough people with a stellar cast, but feels like a lot of other better told movies.  Christian Bale works at a dying steel mill in Pennsylvania.  When his brother Casey Affleck returns from Iraq, he recommends Casey work in the mill.  But Casey wants a different life and falls in with the tough criminals who stage bare knuckle back woods fights.  Menacing Woody Harrelson takes Casey on and when Affleck refuses to take a dive murders him.  Bale, fresh from a jail term for killing a bystander while DUI, mourns the loss of his soul mate Zoe Saldana who takes up with local constable Forest Whitaker.  Bale insists Whitaker find his brother’s killers, but they’re a wiley backwoods crew, so Bale takes it on himself.  “Out of the furnace” tells a familiar blue-collar rust belt story.  This one feels earnest but flat and predictable.  Does it deliver what it promises?  Blue collar drama.  Is it entertaining?  Earnest but a labor to watch.  Is it worth the price of admission?  Feels recycled.